The following news release is from King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks:

Recreation areas reopen following storm-related wastewater overflows

Water quality returns to normal at Marina Beach Park near Kirkland; no unsafe bacteria levels near Sweyolocken Boat Launch

Recreation areas that were closed as a precaution following storm-related wastewater overflows last Saturday night are now reopen to the public.

Strong windstorms knocked out power that led to wastewater overflows at two King County pump stations inBellevue and Kirkland.

To protect public health and safety, King County posted signs warning people to avoid contact with water bodies near Sweyolocken Boat Launch in Bellevue and Marina Beach Park in Kirkland.

Water quality tests showed a slight elevation in bacteria levels near Marina Beach Park in Kirkland on Monday, which quickly returned to normal levels. There was no significant rise in bacteria levels in the Mercer Slough from the overflow at King County’s Sweyolocken Pump Station.

Mechanical issues with emergency back-up power systems led to the overflows at King County’s Kirkland and Sweyolocken pump stations. Utility crews will assess the problems and take corrective action.

King County operates 43 pump stations in a 420-square-mile service area. During the storm, 21 stations were on auxiliary power due to widespread power outages.